Remembrance Sunday London soldier collapses before royal memorial ceremony, Digi Mart USA News (London, United Kingdom): Every year on the second weekend of November, Britain remembers the people who lost their lives in wars. For the British royal family, Remembrance Sunday is a fixed date on the calendar.
This year, however, the event was marked by a moment of alarm.
According to the British newspaper Express, as reported by the German outlet n-tv, a member of the British armed forces collapsed in Whitehall during preparations for the Remembrance Sunday commemoration in London. Spectators reacted with shock and concern when the soldier fell onto the street.
It is not yet known what caused him to lose consciousness, according to the report.
Footage from Whitehall reportedly showed two men helping the soldier after his collapse while he lay motionless on the road. The incident occurred while King Charles, other members of the royal family and leading politicians were taking part in the national remembrance ceremony in central London.
According to the report, around 10,000 veterans were present, along with more than 300 military organizations and civilian associations.
Soldiers losing consciousness at public ceremonies is not new. Similar incidents have occurred at other events, such as Trooping the Colour, the annual military parade held in honor of the British monarch.
Prolonged, motionless standing can cause blood to pool in the legs, which can lower blood pressure.
According to Express, in 2021 a member of the Household Cavalry fainted in Whitehall and fell face-down onto the ground shortly before the two-minute silence began. A similar incident reportedly occurred in 2017, when a soldier collapsed just minutes before members of the royal family arrived at the event.
He had to be treated medically by police officers and emergency responders.
At this year’s ceremony, Princess Kate stood in a prominent position alongside Queen Camilla. The two women stood on the balcony of the Foreign Office in London during the service.
Other members of the royal family, including their husbands Prince William and King Charles, laid wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial during the commemoration.
Remembrance Sunday, held annually on the second weekend of November, is a fixed part of the royal calendar. According to the report, Princess Kate has attended the event every year since her marriage to Prince William in 2011.
She took part in 2024 as well, despite having withdrawn from public view for much of that year during her cancer treatment.
The London ceremony honors people from Britain and the Commonwealth who died in wars. Like other members of the royal family, Princess Kate wore a red poppy pin with her dark outfit.
Since 1921, the poppy has served as a symbol of remembrance for members of the armed forces who lost their lives in conflicts.
